S36.439A — Laceration of unspecified part of small intestine, initial encounter
Is S36.439A billable?
Yes, but S36.439A is an unspecified code. S36.439A is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, S36.439A is an unspecified or catch-all code. Payers apply additional scrutiny to unspecified codes and many deny them when the medical record supports a more specific option, so check the documentation before selecting S36.439A — the more specific alternatives are listed below.
S36.439A at a glance
| Code | S36.439A |
|---|---|
| Description | Laceration of unspecified part of small intestine, initial encounter |
| Billable | Yes |
| Code set | ICD-10-CM FY2027 |
| Valid for encounters | October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027 |
| 7th character "A" | initial encounter |
What does the 7th character "A" mean in S36.439A?
In S36.439A, the 7th character A means initial encounter. The 7th character is required for S36.439A to be a valid, complete code.
Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:
Which MS-DRGs does S36.439A group to?
S36.439A sits in MDC 06 and helps define the logic of 3 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.
- 393Other Digestive System Diagnoses with MCCmedical
- 394Other Digestive System Diagnoses with CCmedical
- 395Other Digestive System Diagnoses without CC/MCCmedical
As a secondary diagnosis, S36.439A is a complication or comorbidity (CC), which can move a stay into a higher-paying DRG.
How is S36.439A listed in the Alphabetic Index?
The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under S36.439, the nearest indexed parent of S36.439A. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.
- Laceration › intestine › small
- Injury › intestine › small › laceration
Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19
Report an additional code alongside S36.439A to fully describe the condition. S36.439A is sequenced first.
- code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 19
The conditions below are not part of S36.439A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S36.439A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from S30-S39
The conditions below are not part of S36.439A, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, S36.439A and the excluded code may both be reported.
Code also — inherited from S36
Two codes may be needed to describe the condition fully. Whether S36.439A is sequenced first depends on the reason for the encounter.
- any associated open wound (S31.-)
How long has S36.439A existed?
S36.439A has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.
Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.